IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 634 

Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives to the victims 

of the devastating landslide on March 22, 2014, extending the thanks 

of those who took quick action to provide aid and comfort to the victims 

of the landslide, commending the resiliency of the affected communities 

for their strength, and committing to provide the necessary resources 

and to stand by the people of the affected communities. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 20, 2014 

Ms. DELBENE (for herself, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. MCDERMOTT, 

Mr. HECK of Washington, Mr. KILMER, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. 

HASTINGS of Washington, Ms. HERRERA BEUTLER, Mrs. MCMORRIS

RODGERS, and Mr. REICHERT) submitted the following resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the condolences of the House of Representatives 

to the victims of the devastating landslide on March 

22, 2014, extending the thanks of those who took quick 

action to provide aid and comfort to the victims of the 

landslide, commending the resiliency of the affected communities for their strength, and committing to provide 

the necessary resources and to stand by the people of 

the affected communities. 

Whereas on March 22, 2014, a massive landslide near Oso, 

Washington, in Snohomish County, destroyed homes, 


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damaged public infrastructure, and blocked the 

Stillaguamish River; 

Whereas on March 22, 2014, the Washington Emergency Operations Center activated and Snohomish County, Washington, and Washington State proclaimed a state of 

emergency; 

Whereas on March 31, 2014, Governor Inslee requested a 

major disaster declaration; 

Whereas on April 2, 2014, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared Snohomish County in the 

State of Washington, as well as the Sauk-Suiattle Indian 

Reservation, Stillaguamish Indian Reservation, and 

Tulalip Indian Reservation, as eligible for FEMA’s Public 

Assistance Program; 

Whereas on April 2, 2014, President Barack Obama declared 

Washington State in a state of major disaster and approved the request made by Governor Inslee for Federal 

disaster assistance; 

Whereas 43 people have lost their lives, and many more were 

injured that day and in subsequent recovery and cleanup 

efforts; 

Whereas within a matter of seconds, 1.3 square miles of 

earthen material rushed down the mountainside, burying 

people in their homes under 40 feet of mud, turning cars 

into scrap metal, depositing hazardous material and other 

debris in the trees, river, and soil, and forever affecting 

the lives of thousands of people; 

Whereas in small rural towns such as Oso, Darrington, and 

Arlington, where this landslide occurred, the impact of a 

disaster reaches far beyond the number of individuals 


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who lost a family member or whose property was destroyed; 

Whereas the landslide engulfed 42 homes completely, and 

many more homes were damaged by flooding and debris; 

Whereas crops such as hay, Christmas trees, pasture land, 

and dairies were damaged; 

Whereas sheep farms, and other livestock were lost; 

Whereas this tragedy marks the third highest number of natural disaster related fatalities occurring in Washington 

State ever, and the deadliest landslide in its history; 

Whereas the suffering and distress of these communities is 

ongoing, particularly for those who lost loved ones, 

homes, and livelihoods; 

Whereas the local emergency responders, National Guard, 

FEMA, and many citizens from the affected communities 

have risked their lives to save others; 

Whereas the first responders in the affected communities, 

and countless volunteers immediately came to the aid of 

those affected by the storms; 

Whereas those in the community offered their homes, their 

time, and their unwavering support to those affected; 

Whereas many tribes, businesses, faith-based organizations, 

and other volunteer organizations and charities have supplied the victims of the tragedy generously with food, 

water, financial support, and shelter; and 

Whereas hundreds of volunteers and government employees 

from across the United States have committed time and 

resources to help with recovery efforts: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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1 (1) expresses condolences to the victims of the 

2 devastating landslide on March 22, 2014; 

3 (2) extends thanks to the first responders, fire4 fighters, law enforcement personnel, volunteers, and 

5 medical personnel who took quick action to provide 

6 aid and comfort to the victims of the landslide; 

7 (3) commends the resiliency of the affected 

8 communities for their strength; and 

9 (4) commits to provide the necessary resources 

10 and to stand by the people of the affected commu11 nities. 

Æ 


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